Name: Red Velvet Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 17 min
Total time: 3 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup minus 1 Tablespoon (118g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 3 Tablespoons (15g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 4 large eggs, room temperature; 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar; 1/4 cup (50g) packed light brown sugar; 2 Tablespoons (30ml) canola or vegetable oil; 2 Tablespoons (30ml) buttermilk; 1 teaspoon white vinegar; 1 Tablespoon liquid red food coloring; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar (for rolling); 6 ounces (170g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature; 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 1 and 3/4 cups (210g) confectioners’ sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Isn’t there something magical about a cake that’s both elegant and comforting? This Red Velvet Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is one of my absolute favorites to bake whenever I want that perfect balance: a tender, airy cake wrapped around luscious cream cheese frosting. It’s like a hug on a plate, yet visually stunning enough to serve for special occasions.

A red velvet roll cake with one thick dark red layer wrapped around a creamy white filling, sprinkled lightly with powdered sugar on top; a woman's hand with a purple and white polka dot knife is slicing through the cake from the top right; the roll cake sits on crinkled white parchment paper on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Red Velvet Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Red Velvet Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Red Velvet Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe has become a beloved classic in my kitchen. I remember the first time I made it — the way that silky frosting oozed just right and how the vibrant red cake was impossibly soft. It feels fancy but is incredibly doable, which makes it a winner in my book.

Perfectly Moist & Tender: The buttermilk and oil keep the red velvet cake so soft and moist, avoiding dryness that sometimes hits rolled cakes.
Easy Cream Cheese Frosting: This frosting is creamy and sweet but not overpowering, complementing the cake beautifully without weighing it down.
Impressive Yet Simple: It’s a showstopper when you bring it to gatherings, but you won't need fancy skills or tools to nail it.
Made-Ahead Friendly: You can prep the cake and frost it the day before serving, making your dessert stress-free and ahead of time.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Red Velvet Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe plays a vital role, from achieving that signature red color to balancing flavors and textures. Knowing why helps you pick quality products and avoid common pitfalls.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of unsweetened natural cocoa powder, a white ceramic bowl of baking powder, a white ceramic bowl of salt, four large whole eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of vegetable oil, a small white ceramic bowl of buttermilk, a small white ceramic bowl of white vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl of red liquid food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl of pure vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of confectioners’ sugar, a block of full-fat cream cheese, and a small white ceramic bowl of unsalted butter, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Provides structure while keeping the cake tender; be sure to spoon and level for accuracy to avoid a dense roll.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds subtle chocolate flavor without being overpowering, giving the classic red velvet taste.
Baking powder: Gives the cake it’s gentle lift — essential for a light, fluffy texture perfect for rolling.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enriches flavor.
Eggs: These are your leavening powerhouse and moisture carriers — use room temperature for the best rise.
Granulated sugar & light brown sugar: The combo creates sweetness with a hint of caramel depth from the brown sugar.
Canola or vegetable oil: Keeps the crumb soft and moist, which butter alone might not achieve in a roll cake.
Buttermilk: Adds tang and tenderizes the crumb wonderfully — my secret for that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
White vinegar: Not only does it boost the red color when paired with food coloring, but it also reacts with baking powder for lift.
Liquid red food coloring: For that iconic vibrant hue — adjust to your color preference or leave out if preferred.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with sweet warmth.
Confectioners’ sugar: For dusting and sweet frosting without graininess.
Cream cheese and butter (for frosting): The creamy duo creates a smooth, tangy frosting that holds up well when rolled inside the cake.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I adore about this Red Velvet Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is how easily you can tweak it to suit your style or occasion. I’ve played around with it a few times, and it’s super forgiving.

Less Red, More Natural: I sometimes tone down the food coloring or swap it out for beet juice powder to make a natural red tint while keeping that classic flavor.
Dairy-Free Version: I’ve also made it with coconut milk and a dairy-free cream cheese substitute for friends with allergies — just beware it changes the texture a bit but still tastes great.
Seasonal Fruits: Adding a thin layer of fresh raspberries right under the frosting gave a lovely tart note that cut through the richness — perfect for spring gatherings.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

The image shows a close-up of slices of red velvet roll cake on white plates with a detailed silver rim. Each roll slice has two layers: a deep red, soft cake layer wrapped around a thick creamy white filling layered evenly in a spiral. The texture of the cake looks moist and fluffy, and the cream is smooth and thick. The plates rest on a white marbled surface. On one plate, there is a silver fork with the words

Step 1: Prep and Mix with Patience

Get your baking pan prepped with a parchment-lined surface that's well-greased — trust me, this makes removing the cake a breeze later. Sifting the dry ingredients together ensures there are no clumps, which helps the batter be smooth and light. When beating the eggs, take your time; 5 minutes on high speed to make them fluffy is key. This step introduces air that’ll give your cake that gentle lift.

Step 2: Blend and Bake with Care

After adding your sugars, oil, buttermilk, vinegar, and that gorgeous red food coloring to the eggs, mix just until combined before folding in the sifted dry ingredients on low speed. Overmixing can make the cake tough, and we definitely want tender here. Spread the batter evenly — a gentle shake of the pan helps level it out — then bake for 17 minutes. Keep a close eye; the cake is done when it springs back to your gentle poke.

Step 3: The Roll Trick

This is the moment where many get intimidated, but don’t be! Immediately after pulling the cake from the oven, invert it onto a sugar-dusted kitchen towel. Carefully peel off the parchment, then roll the cake and towel together starting from the short end. Rolling while warm prevents cracking later. Let it cool completely rolled, either at room temperature or refrigerated for a couple of hours.

Step 4: Spread and Roll Again with Love

Once the cake is cool, unroll it gently and spread a smooth layer of the cream cheese frosting you’ve whipped to perfection. Leave a small border so the frosting doesn’t squeeze out too much. Then, roll it up one last time — this time without the towel. Wrap it loosely in plastic wrap and chill for at least 20 minutes to set before slicing.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Red Velvet Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe multiple times, a few little tricks make all the difference to your success and enjoyment.

Rolling While Warm: Don’t skip rolling the cake immediately after baking while it’s warm and pliable—it prevents cracks when you add the frosting later.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use room temperature eggs, cream cheese, and butter—this helps everything blend smoothly and creates a silky frosting.
Even Batter Spread: Level the batter carefully in the pan so the cake bakes evenly, making the rolling step easier on you.
Don’t Overmix: When adding dry ingredients, mix just until combined for the lightest texture and a moist cake roll.

How to Serve Red Velvet Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Red Velvet Cake Roll - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I keep it simple and elegant with a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar on top — it adds a lovely snowy finish without stealing the show. Sometimes, I like to sprinkle crushed freeze-dried raspberries or tiny edible flowers for a pop of color and a hint of tang.

Side Dishes

Pairing this cake roll with a lightly brewed black tea or a fruity sparkling water creates a balanced dessert experience without overwhelming the palate. I’ve also served it alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to round things out.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holidays, I’ve sliced the cake roll into pinwheel-sized rounds and arranged them in a circle on a pretty platter, topped with fresh mint leaves and sliced strawberries. It’s fun to serve this way and makes guests smile as they see individual portions ready to enjoy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftovers well wrapped in plastic wrap and sealed in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The cake stays moist, and the frosting keeps its creamy texture — just bring it out a few minutes before serving so it’s not too cold.

Freezing

This cake roll freezes very well! I wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, freezing it for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw it overnight in the fridge. The texture holds up like a charm, making it a fabulous make-ahead dessert.

Reheating

Rather than reheating in the conventional sense, I find bringing the cake roll to room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving revitalizes its moistness and lets the cream cheese frosting soften up nicely for the best tasting experience.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Red Velvet Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe without food coloring?

Yes! The food coloring gives that iconic red hue, but leaving it out means you’ll have a more subtle red velvet flavor and a lighter color. You can also try natural alternatives like beet juice powder or omit it altogether if you prefer.

How do I prevent the cake from cracking when rolling?

Rolling the cake immediately after it comes out of the oven, while still warm, is the key. Rolling it in a towel dusted with confectioners’ sugar helps prevent sticking or cracking. Letting it cool in the rolled position helps shape it perfectly for frosting.

Can I make the cream cheese frosting ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the cream cheese frosting a day ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Before frosting your cake, let it come to room temperature and give it a quick whip to restore its creamy texture.

Is it okay to use a different frosting on this cake roll?

While cream cheese frosting is traditional and complements the red velvet flavor perfectly, you can experiment with whipped cream or mascarpone-based frostings. Keep in mind, these may be softer and affect how the cake holds its roll shape during chilling.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is a delightful blend of soft cake and tangy, creamy frosting that makes any day feel special. I love how straightforward it is to make without sacrificing flavor or presentation. If you’re looking for a dessert that’s as charming as it is delicious, give this one a try—I promise it’ll become a staple in your baking rotation.